2018 Openings and Developments

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA: NEW HOTEL OPENING

Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo opened its doors on the 17th November 2017. Located at One Galle Face along the Galle Face Green promenade, which is the most exclusive address in Colombo, Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo offers uninterrupted Indian Ocean and city views in its 500 guestrooms and suites and 41 serviced apartments. Bringing a new level of luxury that does not currently exist in the thriving, metropolitan city, Shangri-La’s Hotel, Colombo will be one of the most prominent hotel launches in Sri Lanka in nearly 30 years and will serve as a gateway to the capital through an array of exciting immersive experiences. From Tuk Tuk Safaris through the city’s vibrant streets to explore local sites in true Colombo style and paying homage to the evolution of Sri Lankan cuisine at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo’s Kaema Sutra restaurant in partnership with Sri Lanka’s top celebrity chef, Dharshan Munidasa, to afternoon teas hosted by skilled tea sommeliers, guests will gain a true understanding of the country’s history and culture. In addition, Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo is set to become the most extensive and versatile events venue in Sri Lanka. The hotel will boast over 3,500 sqm of events space including two ballrooms, several function rooms and a private outdoor lawn. Intended to appeal to large conferences and events, the hotel will complement the island’s attraction as a global MICE hotspot, alongside Bangkok and Singapore.

Although the southern coast of Sri Lanka has become increasingly popular within the UK market over the past few years, Colombo has often been overlooked as a city destination. However, its broad variety of cultural experiences illustrate just how much the city has to offer, making it an exciting destination for travellers in 2018. During Sri Lanka’s 26 year Civil War, which ended in 2009, the city centre was closed off and, as a result, the city missed out on the global tourism boom in Sri Lanka that was channelled to the south-western beaches. However, now that the Civil War is over the vibrant streets are open for those wanting to experience the city’s fascinating culture and heritage. With impressive colonial buildings and many of the army barracks and military lookouts still intact from the Civil War, the city embraces its history with an array of exciting and immersive experiences. Colombo has seen a rapid increase in tourism in the last few years and 2018 is set to be their most successful year for tourism to date, which will be aptly complemented by the opening of the capital’s city most luxurious hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo.

UXUA LAUNCHING VILLA GROUP

UXUA LAUNCHING VILLA GROUP

UXUA is launching its villa group UXUA Alma in 2018. The UXUA Alma collection allows guests to experience a slice of Brazilian life in the village of Trancoso, whilst enjoying the much celebrated style of Wilbert Das’ UXUA Casa Hotel. The six villas are spread around the village of Trancoso, many located off the historic square, the Quadrado.

Fitting harmoniously into the surroundings and with native families as neighbours, each casa enjoys its own history and features, while sharing UXUA’s unmatched standards of comfort and service. The villas are a mix of beachfront, farmhouse, classic pool villa and converted fisherman’s cottage.

Each is privately owned by guests who have visited UXUA and fallen in love with life in Trancoso and Wilbert’s eye for laid-back style. CNN anchor Anderson Cooper is one such guest, ‘The first time I came to Trancoso I stepped out onto the Quadrado and fell in love with the place. It’s a real community: you know your neighbours; you see their kids playing football in the fading light of day; you hear bossa nova drifting from a family restaurant nearby. There really is no place like it in the world.’ Casa Anderson, which has graced the cover of Architectural Digest US, was completed in 2016 and keeps within Das’s sought-after style relying almost completely on natural materials, woodwork and recycled pieces. Made up of four separate buildings the property has an entrance on to the Quadrado and centres around a 20-metre teal coloured pool.

To rent Casa Anderson or one of the other five properties, visit www.uxuaalma.com

NIYAMA PRIVATE ISLAND – PARADISE FOR FAMILIES

Niyama is home to the only kid’s club in the Maldives which hosts under 3s. Caring and entertaining for children from 12 months to 12 years old, the high ratio of staff on the private island are all fully trained and qualified nannies or teachers so guests can enjoy total peace of mind during your stay. Open 7 days a week, Niyama’s Kid’s Club is also the second largest kids club in the Maldives with a vibrant circus theme and kitted out with a playground, trampoline, splash park, stage and Munch, a gourmet kitchen with a menu designed especially for younger palates.

For 2018, Niyama has added an array of new and unique list of activities to their extensive Kids Club, including an ocean adventure with a marine biologist which sees little ones taken around the resort - buggys on standby - to learn about all the different types of sea life and conservation efforts; an erupting volcano experiment in which the children build a sand-volcano with water and vinegar and squeal with delight as they watch their creations bubble before their very eyes. Additional activities new to the island include coconut tree planting, under water activities at the special children’s pool Blu and laughing yoga – a new practice from India which sees instructors and toddles giggling through stretches accompanied by jokes on the sand.

One of the island’s new highlights for the adventurous family is the Surf Seaplane Transfer. A service unique to Niyama, the seaplane transfer offers guests the chance to experience surf points away from the island. Guests are able to hop onto a seaplane transfer which will take them directly to the nearby wave points; the seaplane will also pick them up a few hours later. Niyama is the only island in the Maldives with surf-able waves that break directly onto the beach and the new Surf Seaplane Transfer is set to further cement the hotel’s reputation as a surfer’s paradise.

In addition, for non-surfers, Niyama offers an extensive list of aquatic adventures. From swimming with manta rays and turtles, snorkelling through vibrant coral reefs with an underwater camera to enjoying water-skiing, parasailing and kayaking, Niyama offers an extensive array of watersports for families to enjoy.